Ejector for cigarette packages or the like



Oct 3, 1933.. A c. H. GEORGER 95 EJECTOR FOR CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR {HELIKE Filed Sept. 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 @ct. 3, 1933. c; H. GEORGER I9 95 EJEGT OR FOR CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 9, 1932 4Sheets-Sheet 2 J W4 ATTORNEYs 33. c. H. GEORGER EJECTOR FOR CIGARETTEPACKAGES OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 File i Sept. 9. 1932 c. H. GEORGERE,928,%3

EJECTOR FOR CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE I Filed Sept. 9, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I l A 4,Z Jul -{71c- I i l 11 a 11 die I 58 I qn sjc mac4971 m /52 g 5116a Vic INVENTOR atented Oct. 3, 1933 EJECTOR onCIGARETTE PACKAGES on Tnnmm:

Cliflord H. Georger, Bufialo, N. Y. Application September 9, 1932.Serial No. 632,369

13 Claim.

This invention relates to an ejector for cigarette packages or the like,and more particularly to an extremely inexpensive ejector which isprovided in or made a part of a cigarette package and which is sodesigned that as a part of the opening of the package or as a separateoperation following the opening of the cigarette package it is lifted topartly or completely pull out one or more cigarettes from the package,the first cigarette in a package being the most diflicult to remove andthe subsequent cigarettes being easily taken from the loosened pack. Bythis means the opening of the pack and the removal of the first fewcigarettes is greatly/facilitated and the invention also provides anovel and interesting accessory to the cigarette package.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide anejector which may be incorporated in a package of cigarettes withoutappreciable increase in cost or which can be incorporated as apart ofthe cigarette package without any additional cost whatsoever. Anotherobject is to provide such an ejector which requires practically no roomso that the bulk of the package is not increased by the addition oftheejector. For these purposes the ejector is either made of paper or ismade from the thin, flexible, cellulose sheet material suitable forwrapping which is now commonly employed as the outer wrapper ofcigarette packages.

Another object is to provide such an ejector which can be readilyprovided in the cigarette package during the machine operation offilling and closing the package and which when enclosed in a cigarettepackage lies flat against the outside of the cigarettes and is formed sothat as it is withdrawn upwardly, provides a shoulder which engages theunder corner of at least one cigarette and draws the cigarette upwardly.The ejector is also preferably so formed that it exerts a less positivelifting force against one or more cigarettes adjacent the one positivelylifted by the shoulder so that a group of two or three cigarettes iselevated to different heights.

A further purpose is to provide such an ejector which can be attached toor made a part of the wrapper for the cigarettes so that as thecigarette package is torn open the ejector is automatically lifted tolift one or more cigarettes thereby not only facilitating the removal ofthe cigarettes but also providing a novel and interesting adjunct to acigarettepackage, thefirst few cigarettes being mysteriously liftedwithout apparent cause.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ejectorwhich canbe made from the thin, flexible, cellulose sheet material nowcommonly employed for wrapping cigarette packages, this material havinga number of peculiar characteristics and advantages requiring theprovision of special forms to insure the proper ejection of a cigaretteeach time the package is opened.

A further aim is to provide such an ejector which can be incorporated asa part of an inner wrapper of the thin, flexible, cellulose sheetmaterial employed for wrapping cigarettes thereby avoiding the necessityof providing a special separate ejector in each package of cigarettesand permitting of the use of bright colored transparent sheets whichmakes the cigarette package the wrapper in opening up the package and isautomatically lifted as a part of the opening of the package to withdrawthe first few cigarettes from the package.

Another purpose is, in such a combined wrapper and ejector of cellulosematerial, to provide a pair of ejectors at opposite ends of the packageso that if the package is opened at either end one of the ejectors willoperate to lift the first few cigarettes from the package.

A further object is to provide an ejector for cigarette packages which,after being used, is torn out'and thrown away, this permittingadvertising matter to be printed upon the ejector, this advertisingmatter being thereby distributed around in places generally conspicuousto the public as in ash trays and other receivers.

Another object is to so form the combined wrapper and ejector that theopening of the pack age and the use of the ejector necessarily involvesthe destruction of the government stamp which is sealed over the upperside of the package v In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a paper covered cigarette package andshowing one end of this package torn open andthe first three cigaretteselevated from the package by a combined wrapper and ejector made inaccordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the combined inner wrapper andejector shown in Fig. the wrapper can be cut to provide an automatic 1.The combined inner wrapper and ejector here shown is made of thin,flexible, cellulose, transparent sheet material suitable for wrapping,and is shown partly opened up to illustrate the operation of theinvention.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the combined cellulose wrapper and ejectorshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the same being shown flattened out and thedotted lines indicating the crease lines which are made during theoperation of packaging the cigarettes in the wrapper.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, perspective view, viewed from the inside of thepack, of the bottom of the ejector forming part of the combined wrapperand ejector shown in Figs. 1-3.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the inner cellulose wrapper ofthe package of cigarettes shown in Fig. 1 and showing a number ofcigarettes packed tightly therein, the wrapper being in condition to beopened up.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 5, showing the innerwrapper as being partly open.

'Figure 'I is a similar fragmentary view showing the package fullyopened and a number of cigarettes elevated from the pack through theopening.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of theinvention in which the ejector is separate from the inner wrapper butautomatically operates to elevate one or more cigarettes on opening thewrapper.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the separate ejector shown in Fig. 8, thedotted lines being the crease lines formed in folding the ejector andwrapper around the cigarettes.

Figure 10 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a pack ofcigarettes enclosed in an inner wrapper of flexible, sheet cellulosematerial and this wrapper being enclosed by an outer paper wrapper andshowing a form of my invention in which a pair of ejectors are soincorporated in the inner cellulose wrapper that upon opening either endof the cigarette package one or more cigarettes will be automaticallyelevated to a position where it can be easily withdrawn.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the inner wrapper and pair of ejectorsemployed in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing a modified form of acombined inner cellulose wrapper and double ejector.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figs. 11 and 12 and showing a form ofinner cellulose wrapper and double ejector in which the wrapper is inthe form of a long, narrow strip, the ends of which meet at the top ofthe package in contradistinction to meeting at one side of the packageas in the forms shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Figure 14 is a plan view of an inner. cellulose wrapper, similar to Fig.3, showing a different 'manner in which this wrapper may be cut toprovide an ejector. Figure 15 is a fragmentary, perspective vie of thelower corner of the combined cellulose wrapper and ejector shown in Fig.14 and showing the manner in which this'ejector folds so that uponopening the package at least one cigarette will be elevated to aposition for convenient withdrawal.

Figures 16 and 17 are plan views ofa combined inner cellulose wrapperand ejector similar .to Figs. 3 and 14 and showing other ways whichejector.

Figure 18 is a plan view of an imperforate cigarette wrapper and showingan ejector of sheet cellulose material glued to the wrapper in such aposition that upon opening the wrapper the cigarette will beautomatically ejected.

Figure 19 is a section taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 18.

Figures 20, 21 and 22 are perspective views of paper'ejectors which canbe glued to the wrapper for the cigarettes and which are so formed attheir lower ends that upon lifting the ejectors the lower ends will openup to form a shoulder for elevating one of the cigarettes in thepackage.

Figure 23 shows a further modified form of the cigarette ejectors shownin Figs. 20 and 22 and also showing this ejector secured to the innerwrapper of the cigarette package by an oifset lip which extends throughan opening provided in the wrapper.

Figure 24is a section taken on line 24-24, Fig. 23. I

.The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-7 shows a combined innerwrapper made of sheets of transparent sheet cellulose material in whichthe wrapper is so cut and folded as to provide a single ejector whichbecomes operative during and as a part of the operation of tearing openthe upper end of the wrapper to lift a corner cigarette and one or moreadjacent cigarettes part way from the package so as to be capable ofbeing readily withdrawn. In Fig. l is illustrated a perspective view ofa package of cigarrettes having one end of its top opened and a few ofthe corner cigarettes partly elevated. As shown in Fig. l the package ofcigarettes is enclosed by an outer paper wrapper or cover 30, this outerpaper wrapper or cover being folded during the operation of folding theinner cellulose wrapper 31 shown in Fig. 2. The outer paper wrapper 30forms no part of the present invention and consequently will not bedescribed in detail. The inner wrapper 31 is preferably made of thin,flexible, cellulose sheet material suitable for wrapping and as shown istransparent and may be colored any desirable color, a colored cellulosematerial for this purpose forming a highly attractive package, thecolored cellulose material becoming visible on opening the package. Theform of the inner cellulose wrapper is best illustrated in Fig. 3 inwhich the wrapper is folded out flat, the dotted lines indicating thefold or crease lines which occur upon forming the sheet into thebox-like form shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 3, the crease lines,indicated by dotted lines, divide the wrapper into a large, central,rectangular area 32 which forms one of the broad side walls of thefolded wrapper and above and below this side wall 32 the crease linesenclose an upper tab 33 and a lower tab 34, On one side of the area 32the crease lines enclose a narrow end wall 35 having an upper tab 36 anda lower tab 3'7. On the opposite side of the broad, central area 32 thecrease lines enclose the other end wall 38, this narrow end wall 38having an upper tab 39 and a lower tab 40. The crease lines also boundanarea 41 beyond the end wall 35, this area 41 having an upper tab '42,and a lower tab 43 and its outer edge being secured, if desired, bysuitable cement, to the outer edge 45 of an area 46, this area 46forming a continuation of the end wall area 38 cellulose wrapper 31, aspreviously described, it

and having an upper tab e7 which, if desired, is cemented to the edge ofthe upper tab 42 and a lower tab 48 which, if desired, is cemented tothe corresponding edge of the lower tab 43.- It is apparent that as theblank illustrated in Fig. 3 is folded the area 32 becomes one of thebroad sides walls of the wrapper, the areas 35 and 38 become the narrowend walls of the wrapper, and the areas 41 and 46 together form theother broad wall of the wrapper, thereby completing the box-like form ofthe wrapper. In closing the package so formed the lower tabs 37 and arefolded in first and then the tab 34 and the tab 43, 48are folded overthese tabs and over one another so as to enclose the bottom of thewrapper as illustrated in Fig. 2. In a similar manner the upper end ofthe package is closed by first folding down the end tabsv 36 and 39,subsequently folding over these the side tab 42, 47 and lastly foldingover the side tab 33, this upper side tab 33 thereby being on top. Itwill be understood that the triangular shaped portions between thevarious tabs fold in in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

The ejector is formed in this wrapper by suitably cutting the wrapper.One of these cuts-1s V shaped having one edge 50 which starts at the.

lower edge of the wrapper adjacent the center of the lower tab 34 andterminates adjacent the center of the corresponding uppermost tab 33 butstopping short of the upper edge of the wrapper. The other edge 51 ofthis V shaped cut is divergent and terminates adjacent that lower cornerof the tab 34 which is nearest to the end wall 38. Another V shaped cutis provided which comprises one edge 52 which extends from the loweredge of the wrapper adjacent the lowermost corner of the tab 40 mostremote from the tab 34 and extends upwardly at an angle to the uppermostcorners of the walls 32 and 38.

The other edge 53 of this V shaped cut is divergent and terminates atthe lower edge of the wrapper adjacent the folded comer of the tab 48.Another cut 54 is also provided in the wrapper, this cut starting at theuppermost point of the V shaped cut formed by the edges 52 and 53 andextending along the upper, horizontal crease line to a point adjacentthe center of the tab 47. In order to permit'of readily tearing open theinner wrapper a V shaped nick 55 is cut in the uppermost edge of the tab33 adjacent the uppermost pcint of the V shaped cut formed by the edges50 and 51. The positive lifting of the corner cigarette is effected bycatching the lower end of this cigarette in the lower edge of a cut-out56, this cut-out or opening being provided at the junction of thecorresponding corners of the walls 32 and 33 and their lower tabs 34 and40.

From the description it is apparent that the cuts described provide anextension 57 which forms the ejector, this ejector extending diagonallydownward across one of the lower corners of the pack and at this lowercorner being provided with an opening in which the lower end of thecigarette is caught. In folding the inner is apparent that that portionof the lower end of the ejector which is also a part of the end tab 40folds over that portion of the lower end of the ejector which is a partof the lower side tab 34 and these portions are connected by thematerial 58 between these tabs. It is therefore apparent that when thewrapper is folded the lower end of the ejector will takethe form andassume the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The elevation of the cornercigarettes from such a pack is eflected automatically upon tearing openJ the upper end of the wrapper. The completely folded condition of thewrapper is illustrated in Fig. 5. In wrapping the cigarettes the tab 33is uppermost and the person opening the package grasps this tab betweenhis fingers on opposite sides of the V. shaped starting nick or grooveand proceeds to tear through the center of the tab 33. Since this Vshaped groove is adjacent the upper end of the V shaped cut formed bythe edges 50 and 51 the cellulose material tears through to the upperend of this cut and thereby frees one side of the ejector. This positionof the parts is illustrated in Fig. 6. The user then continues to tearopen the pack by tearing around the upper edge of the paper wrapper 30which encloses the inner cellulose wrapper 31 and the cigarettes. Sincethe cellulose material, forming the inner wrapper 31, is much strongerthan the paper wrapper 30, it will resist tearing and the tearing andlifting of the paper wrapper 30 also operates to shift sidewise and liftthe torn upper end of the ejector extension 5'7. As this extension islifted its lower folded end which is folded under the cigarettes in thepack lifts to the position shown in Fig. 7. In this position the lowerend of the ejector extension 57 is partly unfolded; the lower end of the,corner cigarette is caught in the cut-off 56 and has beenelevated andthe two or more cigarettes immediately adjacent ,this corner cigarettehave been partly lifted, though not to the same height as the comercigarette, by the combined action of the elevation of the cornercigarette and the lifting of the folded in lower end of the ejectorextension 57, as best illustrated in Fig. 7. The user then continues totear open the upper end of the package and in doing so raises the cornercigarette to its maximum elevation after which the ejector extension 57and the cigarette caught by it can be" readily pulled from the package,the

tear in pulling out the ejector following the cut 54 around theupper'edge of the pack into the tab 47. When the tear reaches the end ofthe cut 54 it is apparent that the whole ejector can be easily torn fromthe wrapper and thrown away.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is illustrated a form of the invention in which theinner cellulose Wrapper and the sheet cellulose ejector are made asseparateparts and pasted or otherwise suitably secured together tooperate in the same manner as the form of the invention shown in Figs.l-7. In this form the outer cellulose wrapper 31a is of the samedimensions as the wrapper 31 and is folded along the same crease linesto provide the same walls and tabs as in the wrapper 31, these walls andtabs being designated by the same reference numerals and. beingdistinguished by the addition of the sub letter a. The wrapper 31a isunprovided with internal cuts except for a notch 55a which correspondsto the notch 55 in the sheet cellulose wrapper shown in Figs. 1-7. 4 Theejector 60 is also made of sheet cellulose material and at its upper endis provided with a,

lateral extension 61 which is pasted or otherwise secured to the insideof the tab 33a of the wrap-- per. The ejector 60 is of the same form,occupies the same position and is folded in the same manner as theejector extension 57 of the form of the invention shown in Figs. l-7 andat its upper end the lateral extension 61 is separated from the ejectorby a V shaped cut 62 and this lateral ex- The tab 33a is folded over theother upper tabs of the wrapper 31a and in opening a package ofcigarettes the user grasps the tab 35 and the extension 61 of theejector between his fingers and on opposite sides of the startingnotches 55a and 63. The tear from these notches cuts over to the Vshaped cut 62 and thereby frees the ejector so that upon further tearingof the wrapper the ejector will automatically be lifted and raise thecomer cigarette in the same manner as with the ejector in the form ofthe invention shown in Figs. l-7. The ejector 60, after lifting thecorner cigarette and adjacent cigarettes, is then pulled out and thrownaway and the tearing out of the remainder of the upper part of thewrapper 30 can be easily effected.

The form of combined inner sheet cellulose wrapper and ejector shown inFigs. 1-7 presents some disadvantages in packaging the cigarettes bymeans of automatic machinery. Sheet cellulose, while possessing greattensile strength, is readily torn if a notch or other cut permits and itis also apparent that the unattached ejector extension 57 might presentsome dimculty in passing through an automatic packaging machine. Theform shown in Figs. 1-7 also presents the disadvantage that if the userdoes not start at the notch 55, but starts at the other side of theusual government stamp (not shown) the corner cigarette at that sidewill not be ejected because no ejector extension is provided at thiscorner. The form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is designedtoavoid this difiiculty. In Fig. 10 is shown a cigarette package having anouter paper wrapper 30b similar to the outer paper wrapper 30 shown inFig. 1. This encloses an inner cellulose wrapper 3117 which is of thesame dimensions, has the same fold lines, and is folded to provide thesame walls and tabs as the inner cellulose wrapper 31 in the form of theinvention shown in Figs. 1-7. The walls and tabs formed by the creaselines in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 11 bear the samenumerals as the corresponding walls and tabs of the form of theinvention shown in Figs. 1-7 and the reference numerals designatingthese parts in Fig. 11 are distinguished from the reference numeralsdesignating similar parts in the form shown in Figs. 1-7 by the subletter b.

In the same manner as in the form shown in Figs. 1-7 the inner cellulosewrapper 31b is formed to provide an ejector extension 57b which isarranged and folded in the same manner as the ejector extension 57 inthe form shown in Figs. l-7. Instead, however, of separating thisejector extension by the two long V shaped cuts shown in Figs. 17, thisextension 57b is separated from the body of the inner cellulose wrapper31b by a series of stepped C shaped cuts 65. These cuts form perforatedlines which separate the ejector extension 57b from the body of thecellulose. wrapper and these lines 51b and 52b correspond in positionand inclination to the edges 51 and 52 of the ejector extension 57 inthe form shown in Figs. 1-7. These 0 shaped cuts are particularlyadapted to provide a perforated tear line through the sheet cellulosematerial from which the inner wrapper 31b is made. The lower end of eachof the c shaped cuts 65 terminates above the next lower C'shaped cut butat a point intermediate the ends of the next lower 0 shaped cut 65. Theformation of the c shaped cuts provides'a wrapper which can be subjectedto comparatively great tensile strains, both endwise and sidewise sincethese 0 shaped cuts form, in efiect, a perforated line incontradistinction to the long cuts in the form of the invention shown inFigs. 1-7. Since by the provision of these 0 shaped cuts 65 the 8wrapper can be subjected to both lateral and longitudinal stresses it isapparent that the wrapper is better adapted for automatic packagingmachinery than the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-7. 3

A curved cut 66 leads from adjacent the upper edge of the cellulosewrapper to a point adjacent the center of the uppermost c shaped cut 65of the tear line 51b and to insure the tearing of the wrapper into thiscut from the starting notches 9 55b another diagonal cut 67 is providedwhich leads toward the cut 66. The uppermost C shaped cut 65 of the lineof these cuts 52b is extended to a point adjacent the upper'edge of thewrapper.

The form of the opening 56b is also somewhat 9 different from thecorresponding opening 56 in the Figs. 1-7 form of the invention. It hasbeen found that with the opening 56, the user will sometimes withdrawthe cigarette so rapidly that the corner cigarette is thrown into theair and falls to the floor. To avoid this the opening 56b can be maderound and provides with a cut 68 which extends diagonally to the bottomof the cellulose wrapper. With this cut the opening 56b will catch andlift the cigarette but will pull free if too much strain is exerted, andhence cannot shoot the cigarette in the air.

It is therefor apparent that when the user tears the upper tab 33b fromthe starting notches 55b into the cut 66, this cut leads into the line51b of l1( 0 shaped cuts 65. As the user continues to tear open thecigarette package along the upper, horizontal crease line he also liftson the ejector 57b, tearing along the line 51b of C shaped cuts. Thecorner cigarette is thereby lifted upon being caught in the opening 56band is elevated. As the user continues to tear open the package andcontinues to lift the ejector 57b he tears along the line 52b of cshaped cuts by means of which the ejector 57b is torn free from the'body of the wrapper and is pulled out and thrown away.

In the event that the user grasps the opposite side of the tab 33b inopening the pack another ejector 57b is provided on this side of thepackage as well so that the corresponding comer cigarette on this sideof the package will' be elevated, as best illustrated in Fig. 10. It isobvious that the left hand ejector extension-57b and the associated cutswhich provide for the proper operation of this ejector extension, areexact counter 136 parts of the corresponding right hand ejectorextension 57b and its associated cuts, the left hand ejector extension57b extending diagonally across the 'opposite corner to that servedbythe right hand ejector extension 57b. The same'ref- 'erence numeralshave therefore been applied to the parts associated with the left handejector extension 57b and the description of the operation of the lefthand ejector extension 57b will be deemed to apply to the right handejector extension 5717.

In Fig. 12 is shown a modification of the invention. In this form aninner cellulose wrapper is provided which is provided with two ejectorextensions but in one of these, instead of providing a line of c shapedcuts on both sides of the ejector extension, advantage is taken of thefree edge of the wrapper. In this form of the invention the celluloseinner wrapper comprises a rectangular sheet 70 of cellulose material thecrease or fold lines (shown by dotted lines) of which form a broad,vertical wall '71 having upper and lower tabs 72 and 73, a similaropposite Wall '74 having upper and lower tabs 75 and 76 and a narrowconnecting wall 7'7 having upper and lower tabs '78 and 79. The creaselines also define a portion 80 adjacent the side of the area 71, thisarea 80 having upper and lower tabs 81 and 82 and the crease linessimilarly define an area 83 adjacent the area 74, this area 83 havingupper and lower tabs 84 and 85. The edges at the extreme left and righthand ends of the wrapper, as. viewed in Fig. 12, are arranged adjacentone another either edge to edge or overlapping so that the areas 80 and83 form the narrow end wall opposite to the end wall '77. These edgesare unglued.

In this form of the invention the lower end tabs 79 and 82, 85 arefolded in firstand the tab 73 is next folded over these tabs. Thefolding of the bottom is then completed by folding the tab 76 under thetab 73. The folding in of the upper end of the wrapper is effected byfirst folding in the end tabs 78 and 81, 84. Over these is then foldedthe tab '75 and over the top of the tab '75 is folded the tab '72. Thewrapper is cut to provide a curved line 88 which extends from a pointadjacent the upper edge of the wrapper and adjacent the right hand uppercorner of the tab '12 to a point below the upper, horizontal crease lineand within the area of the wall 71. Starting notches are also providedand a diagonal cut 88 insures tearing into the curved cut 86. This line86 at its lower end terminates just short of a line 87 of C shaped cuts,this line 87 extending diagonally downward and terminating adjacent thelower right hand corner of the tab '13, as viewed in Fig. 12. The otherrow 89 of C shaped cuts starts in the tab 78 adjacent the upper edge ofthe wrapper. and terminates adjacent the lower left hand corner of thetab'lfi, as viewed in Fig. 12. Across the corresponding corners of thewalls 71 and 77 and their lower tabs 73 and 79 an opening 90 is providedwhich is arranged to catch under the lower end of the cigarette arrangedin this corner and elevate it from the rest of the cigarettes within thewrapper- In a similar manner a curved cut 91 is provided to the left ofthe cut 86 and extends from the upper edge of the wrapper diagonallydownwardly to a point within the wall area 71. This cut terminates in aline 92 of C shaped cuts which extends diagonally, in the oppositedirection, toward the lower left hand corner of the tab 73, as viewed inFig. 12,v and'substantially to the lower edge of the wrapper. Across thecorners of the wall areas 80 and '71 and the corresponding lower tabs 82and 73 an opening 93 is provided which is adapted to catch under thelower end of the cigarette arranged in the corresponding corner of thepack. When the cigarette package is folded along the crease lines, shownby dotted lines, in the manner described, it is apparent that if theuser seizes the right hand end of the uppermost tab 72, as viewed inFig. 12, and tears into the curved line 86, he will tear down this lineand down therow 87 of c shaped cuts and in opening the wrapper will liftthe ejector extension 94. Since the lower end of this ejector extensionis folded under the cigarette arranged in the corresponding corner ofthe wrapper, this cigarette will be caught by the edge of the opening 90and will be lifted. As the user continues to open the cigarette packageand lifts the ejector extension 94 further be will tear up the line 89of C shaped cuts and tear the ejector extension out of the package.

Should the operator seize the left hand side of the tab '72, as viewedin Fig. 12, he will tear into the curved cut 91 and in opening thepackage will tear down along the line 92 of the c shaped cuts and freethe ejector extension 95. On further opening the pack" this ejectorextem sion being free will be lifted and the corresponding cornercigarette will be caught in the lower edge of the opening 93 and will belifted. It is therefore apparent that by the use of the free verticaledge of the inner cellulose wrapper, the necessity of providing fourlines of C shaped cuts, as in the form shown in Fig. 11, can be avoidedand only three of such cuts need be provided, while still obtaining theadvantages of a double ejector at opposite corners of the wrapper.

Some cigarette packaging machines are designed to apply cellulosewrappers around the bottom of the pack and up the sides, the end edgesbeing suitably glued together and the upper ends of the two sides beingfolded over. In Fig. 13 is illustrated a form of cellulose wrapper whichis suitable for this purpose. In this form of the invention the creaselines are indicated by dotted lines and define a bottom 100, front side101, rear side 102, bottom flaps 103, side flaps 104, and top flaps 105and 106. This wrapper is folded around a cigarette package in the samegeneral manner as in the other forms of the invention,

the wrapper being folded along the lines which are indicated by dots andthe top flap 105 being folded over the top flap 106. This wrapper is Ifolded directly around a group of cigarettes in the pack and the topflap is provided with two diagonal cuts 10'] which extend from the upperedge of the flap 105 and converge to a point adjacent the center of therear wall 102. These cuts terminate in diverging lines 108 of C shapedThe usual' starting notches and diagonal lead lines 110 are provided toinsure tearing into the lines 108. of c shaped cuts. From the bottom ofeach of the lines 109 of c shaped cuts one or more tear lines or cuts113 lead to the adjacent edge of the wrapper. At each corner between therear wall 102, 12

side flaps 104 and bottom 100, openings 111 are provided which serve toengage under the corner cigarettes to lift these cigarettes, the partdesignated at 112 forming the ejector.

When the wrapper is applied to the cigarettes the side edges 113 overlapbut are uncemented and the flap 105 is folded over the upper flap 106.The usual government stamp (not shown) is applied over the central partof each wrapper and the user, in opening the cigarette package, can tearthe'fiap 105 on either side of this government stamp. If he starts totear the right hand side, as viewed in Fig. 13, he tears from thecorresponding starting notches into the corresponding slots 107 or 110and down the corresponding right hand line 108 of O shaped cuts 109 andinto the tear lines 113 which lead to the adjacent edge of the wrapper.Upon now continuing to pull out on the ejector 112 pulled out 5corresponding tear lines 108 on that side of the the lines 118, 117,120, 121.

pack and lifts the corresponding cigarette in the same manner as shownin Fig. 10.

In Figs. 14 and 15 is illustrated a form of the invention which is quitesimilar to the form shown in Figs. 1-7 except that in place of the Vshaped cuts to separate the ejector extension from the body of thewrapper, these cuts are replaced by straight cuts or slots 115, 116, 117and 118. The wrapper 310 is of the same form and is folded in the samemanner as the wrapper 31 shown in Figs. 1-7,' the corresponding partsbearing the same reference numerals and being distinguished by the subletter 0. This form of the invention is, however, unprovided with theopening 56, the corner formed in folding the ejector extension 119, asclearly shown in Fig. 15, being relied on to elevate the cigarette] Thetear line 117 terminates in a V shaped tear line 120 which is continuedby another tear'line 121 to the end of the pack. It is apparent thatwhen the wrapper 310 is folded with the upper tab 330 outermost, theuser, on tearing the tab 330 tears into the tear lines 115 and 116 andupon further lifting the ejector 119 tears it out along The cornerformed at the bottom of this ejector extension 119 in folding thewrapper, as best shown in Fig. 15, catches the bottom of the cornercigarette and lifts it part way out of the pack.

Fig. 16 shows another form of the invention which is substantiallysimilar to that shown in Fig. 15 except that the lines 115c--118c, whichcorrespond to the lines 1151l8, are of somewhat difl'erent form and noadditional tear lines jare provided. In this form an opening 560 isprovided as in the form shown in Figs. 1-7.

In Fig. 17 is illustrated a form of the invention in which the cellulosewrapper is designed to be folded around the pack of cigarettes in thesame manner as shown in Fig. 13. The general this being arranged at theright hand fold lineof this tab so that when .the wrapper is folded itforms a V shaped notch in this tab. This diamond shaped opening 125connects with a series of tear lines 126 which extend diagonallydownward toward the opposite side of the bottom portion 10012. From thebottom of these lines 126 a diagonal tear line 127 extends in theopposite direction and connects with another diagonal tear line 128which extends horizontally at right angles to the bottom of anotherseries of tear lines 129, these tear lines following the corner creasebetween the rear wall 102D and corresponding side tab 10%. The upper endof the series of tear lines 129 terminates in a tear line 130 whichleads toward the edge of the wrapper and insures the ejector extension131 being torn free from the other portion of the wrapper. An opening132 is provided in the ejector extension 131 at the fold between therear Wall 1021) and the bottom 1001) so as to lift one of the cigarettesfrom the side of the pack.

When the wrapper cut as shown in'Fig. 17 is opened the user tears intothe V shaped notch formed by the diamond shaped opening 125 down thetear lines 126 and across the tear lines 127 and 128. As he lifts thepartly freed ejector extension 131 the opening 132 catches a cigaretteat the side of the pack and'lifts it out. 'This same movement tears theejector strip free along the tear lines 129 and 130 and the ejectorextension is thereby torn out and thrown away.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 18 and 19 the generaloutline and method of folding the wrapper 31d is the same as that shownin Figs. 1-7 and consequently the same reference numerals are applied tothe corresponding walls and tabs and distinguished from the form of theinvention shown in Figs. 1-7 by the sub letter 11. In this form of theinvention the ejector extension 135 is made of a separate piece ofcellulose material and is suitably pasted or otherwise secured to theupper end tab 39d. The

ejector extension 135 extends diagonally downward across one of thebottom corners of the wrapper and where it crosses this corner isprovided with an opening 136. When the wrapper 31d'is'folded, theejector extension 135 is also folded along the same crease'lines andconsequently its bottom is folded to fit into the bottom corner of thewrapper. Upon tearing the upper end of the pack, starting with the tab33d, the ejector extension 135 is lifted and the corner cigarette iselevated from the rest of the pack. As the upper part of the wrapper istorn away the ejector extension 135 is pulled out and can be thrownaway. i

In Figs. 20-24 are illustrated ejector strips which are adapted to besecured to the inside of a cellulose or other form of wrapper. In theform shown in Figs. 20-22 the upper ends of the ejector strips areadapted to be glued to one of the upper flaps of the wrapper in the samemanner as shown in Figs. 18 and 19 and in the form shown in Figs. 23 and24 a finger 137 is punched out and fitted into a slot 138 in the wrapperto secure the ejector in position. These ejectors are preferably. madeof stiff paper and their bottoms are so formed as to lie under the lowerends of a cigarette and to become effective when the ejector is lifted.In the form shown in Fig. 20 the lower end of the ejector is foldedunder the cigarettes, as indicated at 140, and a reverse fold 141 isprovided at the end of this folded under part. It is apparent that uponlifting this ejector strip the edge 142 of the reverse fold 141 catchesin one of the cigarettes and lifts it.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 21-

the lower end of the ejector strip is formed to provide a .Z shapedhorizontal folded end 143. This end provides a sharp corner 144 which,when the strip is drawn upwardly, catches in the lower end of acigarette in the pack and lifts it. The form of the invention shown inFig. 22 is substantially like that shown in Fig. 20 except that the part141 is provided with an upwardly embossed button 147 so as to strengthenit.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 23 the bottom 145 of theejector strip is bent horizontally under the group of cigarettes and areversely directed lip 146 is punched up from this part 145. As thisejector strip is lifted the lip 146 catches in the lower end of one ofthe edge cigarettes and lifts it from the pack.

It' will be noted that in all of the forms of the invention the ejectorstrip is designed to be removed and thrown away. These ejector stripscan therefore be used for advertising by placing upon the stripssuitable advertising matter, as indicated in Fig. 11. Since these stripsare thrown into ash trays, waste baskets and other receivers where theycan be seen, this ad- 'of the package.

vertising is extremely effective, particularly in calling the attentionof the public to the wide spread use of the brand of cigarettes beingadvertised.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides avery simple, inexpensive and reliable ejector which can be readily builtinto cigarette packages at little, if any, additional cost. It is alsoapparent that the various forms of the invention shown accomplish thepurposes set forth in a very simple and efiective manner.

It is apparent from the number of modifications shown that the inventionis susceptible to wide variation in its application to packagedcigarettes or the like, and it is therefore apparent that the inventionis not to be construed as limited to any of the specific forms disclosedbut is to be accorded the full range of equivalents comprehended by theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cigarette package or the like, a strip of flexible materialarranged lengthwise and alongside of the cigarettes, said strip havingone end folded under the adjacent cigarette and being provided at thecorner between its sidepart and its folded under end with a hole, thatedge of said hole opposing the direction of withdrawal of said stripbeing arranged to engage the end corner of said cigarette whereby upondrawing said strip out of said package the said cigarette is positivelycaught by said edge and drawnout of the package.

2. In a cigarette package or the like, a strip of sheet cellulosematerial suitable for wrapping arranged lengthwise and alongside of thecigarettes, said striphaving one end folded under the adjacent cigaretteand being provided at the corner between its side part and its foldedunder end with a hole, that edge of said hole opposing the direction ofwithdrawal of said strip being arranged to engage the end corner of saidcigarette whereby upon drawing said strip out of said package the saidcigarette is positively caught by said edge and drawn out 'of thpackage.

3'. In an oblong cigarette package or the like, a strip of flexiblematerial arranged lengthwise and'alongside of the cigarettes, the lowerpart of said strip being arranged at a lower corner of the package andbeing folded at said corner to conform to said package, said corner foldin said strip providing a horizontal end disposed 7 under the cornercigarette,.,saidstrip being provided at said corner fold with an openingextending through the strip, that edge of said hole opposing thedirection of withdrawal of said strip being arranged to engage the endcomer of said cigarette whereby upon drawing said strip out of saidpackage the said cigarette is positively caught by said edge and drawnout 4. In a cigarette package or the like, a strip of flexible materialextending obliquely lengthwise and alongside of the cigarettes, saidstrip having one end folded under the adjacent cigarette and beingadapted to lift said cigarette from the package upon drawing said stripupwardly, the upper end of said strip being arranged above the upper endof said cigarette and the oblique arrangement of the strip relative tothe cigarettes providing an initial elevation of said cigarette upon.moving the upper end of the strip sidewise.

5. In an oblong cigarette package or the like;

a strip of flexible material extending obliquely lengthwise andalongside of the cigarettes, the lower end of said strip being arrangedat a lower corner of the package and being folded at the corner toconform to said package, said corner fold in said strip providing ahorizontal end disposed under the corner cigarette whereby upon drawingsaid strip upwardly the corner cigarette is lifted, the upper .end ofsaid strip being arranged above the upper end of the corner cigaretteand the oblique arrangement of the strip relative to the cigarettesproviding an initial elevation of the corner cigarette upon moving theupper end of the strip sidewise.

6. In a cigarette packageor the like, a strip of flexible materialextending obliquely lengthwise and alongside of the cigarettes, saidstrip. having one end folded under the adjacent cigarette and beingprovided at said fold with an opening forming an edge adapted to engagethe lower end of said cigarette when said strip is drawn out of thepackage, th upper end of said strip being arranged above the upper endof said cigarette and the oblique arrangement of the strip relative tothe cigarettes providing an,initial elevation of said cigarette uponmoving the upper end of the strip sidewise.

'7. In a cigarette package or the like, a strip of sheet cellulosematerial suitable for wrapping extending obliquely lengthwise andalongside of the cigarettes, said strip having one end folded under theadjacent cigarette and being adapted to lift said cigarette from thepackage upon drawing said strip upwardly, the upper end of said stripbeing arranged above the upper end of said cigarette and the obliquearrangement of the strip relative to the cigarettes providing an initialelevation of said cigarette upon moving the upper end of the stripsidewise;

8. In a cigarette package or the like having a wrapper folded over atits upper end, a strip of flexible material secured at its upper end tothe folded over upper end of said wrapper and extending obliquelydownwardly along side the cigarettes, said strip being formed at itslower end to engage and lift a cigarette, the oblique arrangement of thestrip relative to the cigarettes providing an initial elevation of thecigarette upon moving the upper end of the strip sidewise and theattachment of said strip to the folded over upper part of said wrapperinsuring said sidewise movement of said strip upon tearing away one sideof said upper part of said wrapper.

9. 'In a cigarette package, a wrapper folded over at its upper end, saidwrapper being formed with weakened portions providing a tear line, saidtear line providing an ejector strip in said wrapper, the upperend'ofsaid ejector strip being a part of the folded over upper end of saidwrapper and its lower end being formed to engage a cigarette upon beingdrawn out thereby to lift said cigarette from said package. p

10. In a cigarette package, a wrapper made of sheet cellulose materialsuitable for wrapping and being folded over at its upper end, saidwrapper being formed with weakened portions providing a tear line, saidtear line providing an ejector strip in said wrapper, the upper end ofsaid ejector strip being a part of the folded over upper end of saidwrapper and its lower end being formed to engage a cigarette uponbeingdrawn out thereby to lift said cigarette from said package.

11. In a cigarette package, a wrapper folded over at its upper end, saidwrapper being per- 7 forated at intervals along a tear line whichextends downwardly from its upper end to below the cigarette containedin said package and provides an ejector strip in said wrapper, saidejector strip at its lower end being folded under an adjacent cigarettewhereby upon opening the upper end of said package and lifting thatportion of said wrapper forming said ejector strip, said ejector stripis torn, along said tear line, from said wrapper and the adjacentcigarette is lifted from said package.

12. In a cigarette package, a wrapper made of sheet cellulose materialsuitable for 'wrapping, said wrapper being provided with a line ofC-shaped cuts along a tear line which extends downwardly from its upperend to below the cigarettes contained in said package and provides anejector strip in said wrapper, said ejector strip at its lower end beingfolded under an adjacent cigarette whereby upon opening the wrapper andlifting that portion of said wrapper forming said ejector strip, saidejector strip is torn, along said tear line, from said wrapper and theadjacent cigarette is lifted from said package.

13. In a cigarette package, a wrapper folded over at its upper end, saidwrapper being formed with weakened portions providing a tear line, saidtear line providing an ejector strip in said wrapper, the upper end ofsaid ejector strip being a part of said wrapper and its lower endextending downwardly, obliquely to the cigarettes, and being foldedunder an adjacent cigarette, whereby upon tearing the upper end of saidwrapper open to provide an opening at one side of the package for thewithdrawal of the cigarettes, the ejector strip is moved sidewise, istorn from the wrapper, operates to provide an initial elevation of theadjacent cigarette and can thereafter be withdrawn to further elevatethe cigarette.

CLIFFORD H. GEORGER.

